Custom Search     Munz Lakes     My first ever preschool age camping trips were at ''Months Lake'' in the early 70s. We went 2 summers in a row in a rented trailer because my Mom HATED tent camping. We successfully fished with string tied to long bamboo poles. One year there was this hotshot fisherman with a bunch of fancy equipment scoffing at ours but not catching anything. We suspected him of swiping the string of fish hanging high on our trailer overnight. We loved the huge selection of     candy, and my Dad and I hiked up a fire road to the ridge to the South, then when attempting a shortcut back, slid down a steep ravine side into a cool glade of tall pine trees, and spotted an active beehive high in a nearby tree. Old photos showed an orchard on the foothill slope south and west of the park. As young teenagers, my Dad took us boys camping there two summers in a row, this was the early 80s. By then the place was rather run down and neglected, and sparsely attended. We paddled our inflatable rafts around the main lake but found the arch bridge completely choked with cattails the second year, and the islands with high prickly weeds. The Floor Console Model urinal was still       in the main building but needed cleaning badly. I snuck my way up a rickety ladder into the loft atop the octagon building, finding trash and a filthy bare mattress that looked like it was used for trysts. The floor was partially   collapsing and separating from the walls, like if I jumped up and down it would crash to the level below. The candies were gone and the pool was frigid and had a lot of blown leaves in the water. The dance floor was cracked with some stripped conduit where the Jukebox once stood; my Dad spoke of driving up there for hopping weekend dances in the late 50s when he was growing up in the SFV. The last time we went, some outfit was trying to pitch expensive timeshares for their never realized plan to convert and upgrade the park. We hiked up the same fire road and noticed the grid pattern of the orchard was still visible but most of the trees were overgrown and dead from neglect. The cool trees in the ravine were gone probably from a fire. Next time I drove up there in my 40s, I could only reach the upper lot off the main road as The Painted Turtle had taken over. I stared wistfully over the park I loved as a kid. At this time, Elizabeth Lake, which looked as vast as the ocean and intimidating to think of taking our paddle rafts on, was drought-shrunken to 2 pathetic puddles surrounded by vast cracked and dried mudflats. Says Art Went there with my family every summer from 60s to 63s. Could never duplicate the wonderful times we had. I was always in the pool. I had to climb back down the high dive the first time thinking it was way too high for me, but I became an expert after a day. Mom, Dad, my brother and sister, not to mention a couple other families would camp on the other side of the bridge just to the right on the edge of the pond. Morning breakfast and nighttime snacks with the music on the speaker making the whole experience magical. I kissed my first girl at 8 there. Her name was Diane. But aside from that I didn't know what else to do with her but fall head over heels. The dances at night were the place to be. The rest of the kids were over at the movies while I wanted to be listening to songs like ''Walk don't Run'' and ''Put Your Head on My shoulder'' Both songs triggering a wave of contentment that washes over me to this day. And I remember. Every second there was perfect. Says Richard Alvarez I read all the memories folks had. Here’s a few of my own. Met my first girlfriend here. She lived close to my family so visited her and went together for years. I remember my dad playing horseshoes. The movies on Saturday nights were great. Buying as much candy as we could and taking it to the movies with my kid sister and brothers. The song I remember was Tired of Waiting for You on the jukebox at the dance floor where my mom and dad would dance into the evening. Does anyone remember the barbecues at lake Hughes on Labor Day weekend. I could go on and on. Such good memories Says Jimmy Acevedo That old gang of mine sung by Mr Likens youtube. Says Terry Likens Likens hello everybody - a small change of communication here at ''swing in the meadow''. It's been so nice to hear from all of you who were lucky enough to enjoy Munz Lakes Resort, way back in the 50s and beyond, also miss Connie Levin and Mr. Frank Collins. I enjoyed very much hearing from you, but you didn't include a mailing address that I could reach you with a reply. Hope to hear from you soon. Well, so long for now, and may you all enjoy a Merry 2020 Christmas and have a happy and safe New Years. PS. Wouldn't it be great to do it all over again. Says Terry Likens Hello all -- A little something for all the guys and gals who look back at the fun and good times they had at Munz Lakes Resort in southern ca. some 60 or more years ago. All you have to do is type into your web-search, Al Jolson and Terry Likens. I can be reached at T. Likens, 4523 Hwy. 51, Mountain Home, Idaho, 83647----Love to hear from you. Says Terry Likens Went there for many years if it is the one I remember. Had a big pool with an island in the middle. Big swing set and the dance floor. They had a hot canned soup dispenser and really good showers. Let me know if I am correct. Have a bunch of old pictures. Thanks. Says Herb Does anyone know the names of the 5 kids sitting  on the wall? I think it was taken outside the shower and bathrooms. Says Lynn Caldwell (DeShon) Great pictures, they bring back such fond memories. I always enjoyed going to Munz Lakes. I worked there for 3 summers 1959, 60 and 61. I cleaned the restrooms, and wash dishes in the restaurant. My parents would leave there 15 foot trailer parked there and I would stay in it. At other times I would stay in the Munz Ranch bunkhouse with Conrad and some of the other workers, where we drank our fill of Eli's home brew and country club. I remember Conrad younger brothers John and Alan Damann I always thought Phyllis and Ruth were a hoot while Lester was kind of quiet. I remember guys like Randy Pennington and his sister, Gary Plancherd (sp?) and Al-a-gouch, what a worker he was. I often wonder what ever became of Conrad and his brothers as they were such great guys. I remember being at the Lancaster Drive-in theater where Conrad shot Spartacus 3 times in the chest. In 1959 the Tappan brothers were at Munz with their 1959 Tri-Power racing it up and down the road. Lots and lots of great memories being at Munz Lakes with great friends.  Says Don Scheliga Hi Alan, Conrad and all the old friends from the 50s. Do you remember my brother Don DeShon? He managed the park for Ruth and Phyllis. We had so much fun. My first job was at the snack bar. Ruth Etz fired me because I asked for a week-end off.  Too young to realize that was the time they needed employees the most. LoL. Remember Scotty and his cool car! Says Lynn Caldwell ( DeShon) Dear Diana and Conrad--- with being retired now and presently having only a two-story barn to build-- a roofed water stand to soften hoofs-- four upstairs walls in another barn-- etc.--etc,-- I have a little extra time on my hands, so I decided to play with recording some songs that have always been special to me-- and put them on YouTube. Now I'll be the first to admit they're not very good, and I'm no Nat King Cole-- but fun is fun. Well anyway, I've recorded a short medley of songs and titled it ''a Medley of Three.'' However to say that it's only for three is a shortcoming. As my memories of Munz include a number of people from grandpa Eli-- who I recall as a mentor--to Diana's mom and dad-- I recall arriving at Munz sometimes late in the evening-- when the dance floor was quiet-- the campsites were still-- but yet Diana's mom would wait-up for us and in soft and quiet tones greet us with ''where have you guys been-- I've been worried sick. As with all involved with years of my young life at Munz there all precious to me today-- or perhaps even more so now--than they were so many years ago-- that I decided to say thanks in a special way. To listen simply go to web search, punch in Jean Likens-YouTube and there you'll find ''a Medley of Three.''--and if you'd like to say hi-- I'm at jeanlikens@yahoo.com-- e-mails don't come directly to me, so it may take a while for me to get back to you--- or there's grandpa and grandma mail--- t. j. likens, 4523 hwy 51, mountain home, Idaho, 83647-- Personally, I like letters that I can keep and cherish--stay out of cold drafts-- and perhaps one day I'll see when I see you--Terry Says Terry My dearest Diana... I've always known that one day we would somehow meet again, only I didn't know it would take 60 years. I wish we could write page after page, so I could learn all about your life and happenings. But I only have this brief note. So you have three horses. Well you've got me beat by two. Though we have other horses. There's one that has the purse strings of my heart. She's a little quarter/arabian, though there have been others thru the years. They were all special. . But Clementine's extra special. I call her Clem. . She follows me all over the ranch like a puppy. Of course it might be that she knows I have fresh carrots from Jeannie's garden. And every day she gets a kissy on her cheek. Jeannie. My wife of 52 years now says Clem gets more kisses than she does. Perhaps. When I'm in the pick-up her head is thru the window. When I'm on the tractor she's right up against the big wheels, just wanting love, and you have four chillins, well there I can match ya. 2 boys. 2 girls. All doing well with families of their own. Conrad's brother Alan is happily married. Lives in northern ca. Conrad married Loretta. They have kids and grand kids and live close to Munz lakes. That's about all I know. Ya know. Although I'm all grown up. With what memories I do still have of Munz. There are nights I fall asleep on a dampened pillow. But it's only tear water. Sometimes life is easy. Sometimes it's hard. Perhaps you remember that evening you came and sat in the swing set next to me by the pool and told me my brother was dancing with someone. I used it as an excuse to simply walk-away. That afternoon I was told that my parents were going to divorce. I simply didn't want to be with anyone. I truly apologize. A few days later circumstances took me far from Munz. When I was twenty I returned only to find that you and your family were gone. Conrad's mother. Phyllis, didn't have an address for you. You were gone. So if you don't mind there's something I want to say. Something I have to say while there's still time. Since we're not getting any younger. Though I only have the memory of that beautiful little girl I knew. There hasn't been a day go by in all these years that you haven't been in my thoughts. Terry P. S. I'm afraid I never did learn how to dance. Take care. Says Terry Likens I spent every summer there from 1957 to about 1969. We had 7 people in our family and pulled a small trailer. It was paradise for any kid. I remember the Saturday night movies on the outdoor volleyball court, row boats, fishing, hiking, the old apple & pear trees. My grandma would give us a dollar a bag for picking fruit. We collected bottles daily to buy candy from the Gate House. W bought comic books from the gift shop. Learned flips off the high and low dives. I remember my mom swimming out to the island in the pool with me on her shoulders and a bathing cap on. I could go on for hours. One of the best parts of my life! Says Melissa Schlegel Hello all, I'm Diana, Joe and Thelma's daugher. What a a time it was!! This is so fun. Conrad taught me how to drive that big ole red jeep with a whole bunch of gears out in the big hay field. Had my first adult kiss there and ''hated'' it. First serious boyfriend was Wesly Richardson..anyone remember him. Best friend was Judy Wurz. Just thinking about it all makes me smile. Im still a horse gal..have 3. Married/divorced and had 4 kids..all big now with 4 grandchildren. Life moves on. Use to rent out oars with Allen in the gift shop and swam incessently in first the murky pool with a raft and then in the freezing new pool. Before we moved there, we would camp whole summers. I would collect all the pop bottles to buy the candy at the gate house. I used to ride that little mechanical pony for a dime. Makes me remember how easy life was. Still easy if I let it. I loved those outside movies and all the freedom. Use to work at the stables next to the resort for Dennis Winchesters Mom. Loved it. The jukebox and learning to dance there was the best. I loved that place for all the happiness it gave, the people that came. ''Those were the days my friend.....'' Says Diana Love the shot. Brought back memories of our family vacations. I do remember going when the swimming pool didn't have the center island (fountain), recall a floating deck, water was warm and a 'swampy'. Thinking back, filters seemed only to cover the deep end. Great time for family. Says Patrick Burris My family with five kids camped there many summers in the 50', and we had a good time fishing and swimming. They had hot soup in cans in one vending machine. Don't have that anymore that I know of. The pool was ice cold as I recall. I remember listening to ''Flying Purple People Eater''. I didn't know cats were killed. That is depressing. I remember one time someone having a Cougar in their truck that they had just killed. That was sure a LOOOOONNNNGGGG time ago. Says Richard Maxell Thank you for the great memories of Munz Lakes! VERY fond childhood memories. My parents would take me, my brother and sister and a big, round army surplus tent, Coleman stove, sleeping bags etc. We'd spend a week or two. We did this for at least 3 or 4 summers. I remember the rowboats, fishing for catfish, the jukebox, the snack store, the swimming pool, the dances at night. I can still picure the girl at the next campsite: My first crush? Looking back on it, Munz Lakes probably was the only place around where family like mine could afford to provide their children with such experiences. Thank you so much for the wonderful memories! Says Chris Anderson I worked there in the Summer. I had trash detail and cleaned the restrooms. Not a lot of fun, but as a kid I was able to make some money to pay for gas at 30 cents a gallon. The dance floor was cool, lots of slow dances on the weekends !!! Says Mike Kurth My mother would bring my brothers and myself here for 3 weeks at a time. We would spend time with my mother's cousins. I remember the freedom of running around and doing whatever we kids do. I remember the jute box and seeing movies outside. The pool seemed so huge. I loved this place. Such great memories... Says Yolanda I stayed at Munz Lake most every summer weekend in the 60s. We had a Shasta trailer and took our bicycle-built-for-two. I remember the giant dance floor and jukebox. The great big pool with an island that had a fountain. The rowboats, the outdoor movies were fun. I remember how they would take a candy on a stick and put it up high so the bees would bother it and not the people below. The Tom's vending machines. The old style mens urinal (crazy). The kid's playground. The soft macadam in the sun. Lots of fun there! Says Charlie H. We stayed at Munz every weekend. Sometimes for two weeks at a time. I remember that grand old farmhouse, with its huge dance floor, and the basement casino, and washing beer mugs and glasses with Conrad, Eli Munz grandson, and shooting at ferrul cats from Conrad's upstairs bedroom window, and so much more. There was Joe and Thelma, who helped run the resort, their kids Diane, who I had a secret crush on, Steve and little Joe. All those years of memories are like magic dreams. So much that once was, is now lost... Terry. Says Terry Likens I would love some pictures of it too! Our family camped here in the 50's and 60's. I have such good memories of the place. The pool with the high dive, fishing, catching frogs and hiking around. Says Leslie Ah yes... I remember the big Jukebox. At least it was big as compared to me! I remember listening to the Rolling Stones on it as well as others. Says Pete Yes, I would love to see pics of it. We used to go every year back in the 60's. They had a big jukebox and dance floor, great pool! We had so much fun ! Says Vicki Munz lake was a great place to camp back in the 1960's. My parents use to take us there. Fishing and a nice sized pool on the east end. I think that's all gone now. If anyone out there has pictures, could you please upload to this web site ? I'd sure appreciate it. Says Camper Ray, you come close to bringing tears to my eyes with your words--reaction, because those days were truly remarkable---wonderful..... I hug you with great affection, as I did both brother & cousin Franks at that time. Reflecting on those summer outings, I can bring it all back with perfect recall--clarity; even our conversations.... Much of it was about looking to hook up with the many young ladies (really girls) that were everywhere, and interested in hooking up with us.... As I put down in one of my poems, ''it was spawning time. '' though in truth, it was the Franks doing all the spawning... Yes, Dad purchased that 1953 Chevrolet new, with its two tone powder blue below & white roof. GM was big on two tone paint jobs back then.... Again yes, there were a number of couples that we had met in Yosemite that joined up with us at Munz Lake, Joe & Ruth Pizzata with their two very young daughters being one, Jane & Carl Smith ( Mom worked with Jane at Douglas Aircraft. ), along with uncle Sam & aunt Nancy with cousin Frank; and cousin Mary Ann was in the mix with us boys, with both parents uncle Suby & aunt Rose & little cousin Rosemarie. Everyone pitched in making large meals, especially those dinners that became magical, with mom & aunts making their real Italian pizzas with pasta & meat balls thrown into the mix with incredible tossed salads etc---etc. - Charles Gibilterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE - Charles Gibilterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE - Charles Gibilterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE - Charles Gibilterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE - Charles Gibilterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE - Charles Gibilterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE - Charles Gibilterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE - Charles Gibilterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE - Charles Gibilterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE - Charles Gibilterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE - Charles Gibilterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE - Charles Gibilterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE - Charles Gibilterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE - Charles Gibilterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE - Charles Gibilterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE - Charles Gibilterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE What memories of Munz Lake ~~~ - Charles Gilbiterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE What memories of Munz Lake ~~~ - Charles Gilbiterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE What memories of Munz Lake ~~~ - Charles Gilbiterra BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE Hi David, John my brother sent me this link. My mother was Phyllis Munz. I belive we have communicated in the past. I was the kid who ran the Gift Shop, rented oars for the boats, also cleaned the seven restrooms, not to mention washing dished for the Locust Tree Grill and Manzanita Room. What a wonderful life experience. I did not know my older brother Conrad was shooting cats out the window. Not going there with the shooting situation. The attached pic is the house where we grew up. Email me. - Alan Damann BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE I remember '' Play with fire'' by the stones on that jukebox.I went there in the 60's many times. Later it became Manzanita Hills park.Today its Paul Newmans '' Painted turtle resort'' for terminal children.Here is a great picture. Write me. DLMASSEY22@YAHOO.COM - David Massey BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE          Map Detailed Map Weather Local weather forecast